\u201cI think she\u2019s exceptional. I think she\u2019s inspired two out of three of my kids so far. We fight over math homework at home because we all love doing it,\u201d the parent said.<\/p>\n
Villamar said she wants her students to develop a lasting love for math.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like my kids will love math for the rest of their lives and hopefully into some sort of great career,\u201d Villamar said.<\/p>\n
Parent Kerry Patel and her daughter Kherington nominated Villamar for the Silver Apple award. Kherington said Villamar helped her greatly improve in math.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year, I struggled with math a lot, and this year, I feel like I\u2019ve got it down, and I\u2019m pretty good,\u201d Kherington explained.<\/p>\n
![\"Hylari](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2Z6V5AFBBJGEHGSYC4VSVXH42U.JPG\")
Hylari Villamar has been a 7th-grade math teacher at Sonoran Foothills Elementary for over a decade.(Arizona’s Family)<\/p>\n
During the surprise presentation, Patel read from the nomination letter.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Villamar is an exceptional teacher who changes the way students see themselves,\u201d Patel described. \u201cShe now teaches my daughter with that same dedication, challenging her, believing in her, and inspiring confidence. Mrs. Villamar\u2019s passion and commitment last beyond middle school.\u201d<\/p>\n
Desert Financial Credit Union presented Villamar with a $1,000 check. All the seventh graders at the school came out to cheer for Villamar during the award presentation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you so much. I am so proud of my students and all of their growth they make. It\u2019s so funny. I was just telling one of my algebra students, I said, \u2018the one thing I want you to take away is not the algebra, but being positive,\u2019\u201d Villamar said.<\/p>\n
Nominate a teacher or educator for the Silver Apple Award here.<\/a><\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n